​FYI - due to the wind storm trees have fallen across the trails.  Greg Lewis and I were able to get started on clearing today, but I am afraid that there may be many more to clear before the inner loop, as well as the other trails, are free of windfalls.  We made it from the parking lot to just beyond the loose moose junction.  We had to cut out ~ 15 trees.  So if you head up that way in the next couple of days, beware that you may run into a few obstacles. 


If all goes well there is a plan to get the entire grooming crew together by Tuesday to get around as much of the trail system as possible.  Hopefully by next weekend we will have all the trails cleared again. 

On a good note, a new layer of snow (~1/4 inch) had covered the packed trail.  Skiing on it was pretty nice. The section of packed trail we cleared today appeared to still be in good shape,  Hopefully it will stay that way for a while, and we get some more snow! 

The rainstorm on Wednesday was snow at Fourth of July at least in part. An inch of wet snow came down. The crew “groomed” on Thursday, January 7th. All the trails we groom have been packed throughout the area. The Inner core trails except for Loose Moose have been groomed except where other runs of necessity damaged the groom. Grooming also extends down Skywalker from the Skateaway Junction to the Lower Twisted Klister Junction. The sign system has been installed on the Twisted Klister System with a few exceptions. We did find the stovepipe in the Snowshoe Hut damaged and in need of repair.
We plan to groom Saturday January 9th, morning over the entire system.

The snow pack held up remarkably well to the series of rainstorms that started the new year. There are a few thin spots on Havin-Fun, typically under tree canopy, but the pack deepens with elevation. Some additional set up work today required a groomer be towed over the Inner Core and Skateway Trails. The pack held up well to grooming and track setting. In addition the Skaywalker-Moonrunner Trail system was packed and the pack widened. Thus Havin Fun, The Swoop, High Road and Skateway are groomed and track is set over most of the trail. Skywalker-Moonrunner are packed but still uneven due to pre-road closure rutting by wheeled vehicles. Eagle Run and Elderberry are yet to be packed and groomed.
If the rainstorm expected tomorrow turns off cold and gives us some snow, we plan to pack and groom again on Thursday

Happy New Year! Hope everyone is still in good health.


Currently it would seem that the winter weather is not being very friendly to 4rth of July this year. Although, the brief snow storm that occurred last week left enough snow at the lower elevation to allow the groomer crew to get some work done. If you hadn’t already seen it in Geoff’s grooming report, the inner loop was packed and groomed on New Year’s Eve. Also, the stretch of Road 614 (Skywalker) from the Skateaway intersection to the barrier near the freeway was completed and Moonrunner was packed all the way out to Rose Saddle.


Then the warm temps and rain arrived “again”. It was reported over the weekend that the grooming at the lower elevations was getting mushy, but hadn’t melted away. Hopefully it’s still intact and the packing that was done will allow it to hold until more snow arrives and the grooming can be performed again.


The Board is currently working up a group skiing or snowshoeing events. The draft ideas are based on single day local events due to Covid concerns. Being outside, there should be adequate opportunities to maintain safe distance separation while still allowing participants to socialize a little. Two events will be scheduled for every other Saturday, or possibly Sunday, in January; February and March. As soon as all the board members have responded to the drafts with their input the dates will be posted on the WEB site and announced through and e-mails. So stay tuned for more information, and join in if you can.


If you know anyone who:


1. May be interest in joining PNC this year please let them know it is very important that they fill out and submit the membership form electronically. By doing so it makes it much more efficient and simpler for creating the annual membership list. So please pass on the word if you have the opportunity.


2. Would like some cross country ski instructions Nancy Lewis has volunteered to assist them. She is willing to meet them up at 4th of July to give pointers. They simply need to give her a call and work out a time when they can meet her there. (If you need to know how to contact her, see membership list). contact info is also on our website in the PNC Board tab.


The club was recently contacted by: Mickael Stevens, the recreation supervisor with the City of Rathdrum, Parks & Recreation. They were offering and snowshoe for beginners get together, but unfortunately the person that was going to lead it had to back out. So he was inquiring about finding someone to fill the role. He also offered a small instructors fee. If interested, please respond to me @ garringer4@roadrunner.com. I will assist you with getting in touch with Mr. Stevens.